Analytic Amplitudes for Hadronic Forward Scattering : COMPETE Update

Abstract

We consider several classes of analytic parametrizations of hadronic scattering amplitudes, and compare their predictions to all available forward data in hadron-hadron, gamma-p and gamma-gamma reactions. Although these parametrizations are very close for SQRTs larger than 9 GeV, it turns out that they differ markedly at low energy, where a universal Pomeron term like ln**2 s enables one to extend the fit down to SQRTs equal to 4 GeV. We present predictions on the total cross sections and on the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the elastic amplitude (RHO parameter) for present and future pp and antipp colliders, and on total cross sections for gamma-p into hadrons at cosmic-ray energies and for gamma-gamma into hadrons up to SQRTs equal to 1 TeV.